The principal and vice principal's wails faded into the night, their strange, keening voices swallowed by the rustling forest as they vanished in pursuit of the elusive tatsumaki. I wondered briefly what they intended to do with it—perhaps to flaunt it as a trophy of their authority or to barter it for favor among the academy's elite. Their motives were as murky as the shadows now creeping through the trees, but I pushed the thought aside, too weary to care.
Exhaustion tugged at my limbs, the morning's whirlwind of events—Akemi's kiss, the mushroom harvest, the unexpected glow of my newfound strength—leaving me drained. My full stomach urged me toward sleep, but the threat of pranksters from the special training class loomed in my mind. To evade their mischief, I slipped into my ninja profession, my movements silent and fluid as I scaled a nearby tree.
Perched on a sturdy branch, I leaned against the rough bark, the forest's quiet hum wrapping around me like a blanket. "This'll do," I murmured, settling in for a nap where no one could disturb me. The world below faded as I drifted into a light, dreamless slumber, cradled by the tree's embrace.
A voice, clear and melodic like a silver bell, pierced the haze of my nap. "Leo? Where are you? Leo?" I stirred, blinking into the darkness that had settled over the forest, the stars above casting a faint glow. Below, Monaka's silhouette moved, her small frame illuminated by starlight as she searched for me, her voice tinged with concern.
"I'm up here," I called from the treetop, my voice soft but carrying through the still night. Monaka jolted, her shoulders shrinking as if struck by a spark, her head whipping up to find me. "What are you doing up there?" she asked, her tone a mix of surprise and curiosity, her eyes glinting in the dim light.
I grinned, swinging down to a lower branch. "Just taking a nap where no one can bother me. What brings you out here so late?" Monaka hesitated, then lifted a small pot, her hands trembling slightly. "I… I wanted to thank you, Leo-kun, for the house you built for me. It's beautiful, truly."
Her words warmed me more than the mushroom feast had, and I waved off her gratitude with a chuckle. "You could've thanked me tomorrow, you know." Monaka's cheeks flushed as she held up the pot again. "I also brought dinner. Have you eaten yet?" My stomach, roused by the memory of hunger, growled in response.
Monaka's lips curved into a shy smile, and I caught a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "It's been a while since I've seen you climb a tree, Leopin," she said, her voice softening with nostalgia. "Remember when we were kids? We'd climb together, though I always needed your help."
I laughed, the memory vivid—Monaka, small and hesitant, clinging to the ladders I'd crafted for her. "Why don't you come up now?" I teased, patting the branch beside me. Her eyes widened, a mix of excitement and doubt. "Me? Climb? I haven't done that in years, and I always needed your ladder!"
"Hold on, then," I said, leaping down with the agility of my ninja skills. Monaka let out an elegant squeak, pressing a hand to her mouth as I landed lightly before her. With a few swift motions, I crafted a ladder from nearby branches, its structure reinforced by my bonuses to hold firm for up to ten people.
Monaka stared, dumbfounded. "You… you built that in seconds?" I beckoned from halfway up, grinning. "Come on, Monaka, it's just like old times." She hesitated, her fingers twisting nervously, but then her expression shifted, a spark of determination flaring as she took my outstretched hand.
We settled on the branch, Monaka gripping the wood cautiously at first, her movements stiff until she found her balance. She opened the pot, revealing a steaming soup fragrant with meat and vegetables—leftovers, she explained, from the entrance ceremony's feast. "Everyone's having this tonight," she said, her voice warm with pride.
I scooped up a spoonful, the rich flavors bursting across my tongue, and I couldn't help but hum in satisfaction. Monaka watched me eat, her gaze soft, almost maternal, until I finished and she handed me a white handkerchief. "Your mouth's a mess," she teased, wiping it gently, her touch careful and familiar.
"You're starting to remind me of your sister," I said, chuckling at her nurturing gesture. Monaka froze, her hand tightening on the handkerchief, her eyes suddenly serious. "Leopin-kun… can I ask you something?" Her voice trembled, and before I could answer, she stammered, "I-I heard you were with a girl from class 1-6, and you were… ki-ki-kissing!"
Her words tumbled out in a rush, her body shaking like a startled bird. "Kissing?" I repeated, puzzled, as she wobbled dangerously on the branch. Before she could fall, I caught her, leaping to the ground with her cradled in my arms, her eyes wide and blinking in shock.
"You're safe," I said, setting her down gently, but her face remained flushed, her breath uneven. "I… I fell, didn't I? Why am I…?" She trailed off, then smiled, her voice softening. "Thank you, Leopin. You always save me, just like when we were kids."
I grinned, memories flooding back. "You used to cry every time you slipped from a branch, and I'd carry you until you stopped." Monaka puffed out her cheeks, indignant. "I'm not a crybaby anymore!" But her expression softened, her eyes glinting with nostalgia. "It's been so long since you held me like this."
"Let's get you home," I said, starting through the forest with Monaka still in my arms. She protested weakly as we neared the residential area, her voice rising with panic. "Leopin-kun, people will see! They'll talk!" I shrugged, unfazed. "Let them. I don't mind."
The whispers began as we passed the reconstructed huts, students' eyes widening at the sight of me carrying Monaka. "Is that Trash with Monaka?" One hissed. "First Akemi, now her? What's he got that we don't?" The murmurs grew into a jealous cacophony, the air thick with envy as a nearby shack trembled under the weight of their outrage.
Monaka buried her face in my chest, her ears glowing red beneath her hair. We reached her house, and I set her down at the entrance. She turned, her face still flushed, and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Leopin… good night," she whispered, her voice barely audible before she slipped inside.
"Good night," I called, turning back toward the forest, the echoes of the students' jealous cries fading behind me. The night felt alive with possibility, and as I walked, I couldn't shake the warmth of Monaka's gratitude.